Campus Access

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Princeton is a private institution and many of itsÂ facilities are not generally open to the public. There are specific guidelines for members of the media who wish to gain access to commonly requested locations on campus, and all photographers and film crews must contact the media relations staff in the Office of Communications to secure media passes before proceeding to film or photograph.

General conduct on campus

News organizations must respect the rights of students to decline to be interviewed or photographed. Members of the media may not capture photographic or video images or audio of students without written permission from the individuals involved. News media are not permitted to enter classrooms without securing advance permission from the instructor and notifying the media relations staff. News media are not permitted to enter residential living areas at any time.

Attending events

Some campus events are for members of the campus community only. Print journalists may attend events designated as open to the public or open to the press, while separate broadcast permissions may have to be secured in advance for other media. Registration may be required for some events when seating is expected to be at a premium. For events requiring security measures, reporters who have not registered in advance may not be permitted entry at the time of the event. Also, for events with designated press seating, reporters and photographers must remain seated unless granted permission by media relations staff or by advance permission by the event organizers in consultation with media relations staff.

Restricted images

Photographers and film crews should be aware of the University's restricted images that are not permitted to be used for any purpose other than University business whether they are supplied by the University or taken indepedently. The images include all or recognizable portions of: Nassau Hall, Blair Hall arch, Alexander Hall, FitzRandolph Gate and Lewis Library. A full description of photo and film policies is available online.

Use of the Princeton University name

When using theÂ Princeton University name other than for news, research or documentary purposes, entities not affiliated with the University — such as commercial firms, vendors, contractors, marketing professionals, institutions and service providers — must adhere to Princeton's guidelines when including references to the institution or its likeness in information intended for electronic or printed publication or dissemination. Questions should be sent to the assistant vice president for communications by emailing commpro@princeton.edu.

Reproducing Princeton news

We encourage media outlets, other organizations and college/university institutions to link to or copy full versions of Princeton news stories including credit as instructed below.

When a byline is embedded and copied with the story: "News provided courtesy of Princeton University Office of Communications."

When a byline is removed from the story: "News, written by [name from byline], is provided courtesy of Princeton University Office of Communications."

Academic buildings and classrooms

Academic spaces are managed by academic department staff.Â The Office of Communications works with departments to facilitate access for media to report, film or photograph inside academic buildings or classrooms. If a member of the news media asks to attend a class, we must secure advance permission from our faculty to ensure that student privacy is protected and that theÂ learning environment is not disrupted.

Athletic events

Dormitories

Reporters, photographers and filmmakers are not permitted in residential areas at any time out of respect for all students, who have an expectation of privacy while in their campus homes. Photographing and filming in common spaces, such as the dining hall, is allowed with advance permission.Â The Office of Communications works with dormitory staff to facilitate requests to photograph or film in common spaces.

Exteriors of buildings

General access to campus can be grantedÂ to photograph and film environmental campus shots and building exteriors. Photographers and filmmakers should be aware of the University's list of restricted images that are not permitted to be used for any purpose other than University business whether they are supplied by the University or taken independently. The images include all or recognizable portions of Nassau Hall, Blair Hall arch, Alexander Hall, FitzRandolph Gate and Lewis Library. Students who appear in images of campus cannot be easily identifiable unless a student has given his or her permission. For filmmakers' convenience, our office has "b-roll" of various Princeton campus scenes available for use in beta format. The charge is $75 per tape, the cost charged to our office of having the tape produced.

Lake Carnegie

Lake Carnegie is University property and is primarily used by the University's crew teams. For news requests to photograph or film at the lake, our office works with crew coaches to secure permission and ensure that photographing or filming does not inhibit team activities. The University's Office of Conference and Events ServicesÂ handles permissions and schedulingÂ for commercial requests to photograph or film the lake.

Libraries

Photography and filming are generally not permitted inside University libraries, including Firestone Library, because it is disruptive to the research and study engaged in by students, faculty and staff.Â Our office works with library staff to determine if a photo or film request may be accommodated. As an alternative, we may secure permission for the photographer or filmmaker to use a nonacademic library setting. For copies or images of historical documents, theÂ University's Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript LibraryÂ hasÂ its ownÂ policies for photo duplication services.

Princeton University Art Museum

The art museum has its own image use and access policy. Our office works with staff at the art museum to obtain permission to photograph or film in the museum. For security and scheduling reasons,Â museum staffÂ may not be able to accommodate a photography or film request, or may charge a fee to photograph or filmÂ museum piecesÂ orÂ collections.

University Chapel

The chapel is a place of worship, and photographers and film crews are allowed on a limited basis depending upon the request. Our office works with the Office of the Dean of Religious Life to secure permission to photograph or film in the chapel. Photography and filming are not permitted in the Chapel duringÂ nonpublic University events, such as the Baccalaureate ceremony.